Mayaltho Feast

Mayaltho Feast - The Dedication of Baby Jesus in the Temple of God.

(February 2).

Mayaltho is a Syriac term that relates to the dedication of infant Jesus to God's temple. Among the ten mandatory feasts of the Holy Syriac Orthodox Church, Mayaltho is the third feast following the commencement of the liturgical cycle.  This feast is celebrated by the Church on February 2nd each year, the forty-first day after the feast of the Nativity. According to the Scripture, Joseph and Mary carried the infant Jesus to God's temple to complete the purifying sacrifice. The firstborn male newborn should be dedicated to the temple of God on the forty-first day after his birth, as stipulated in the Mosaic Law.

In Jerusalem, there lived an older man filled with the Holy Spirit named Simon. He was just and righteous, and he looked forward to Israel's comfort. The Holy Spirit told him he would not die until he saw the Lord anointed. When the parents took baby Jesus to the temple for the rituals following the Law, Simon was led there by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Simon took the child in his arms, praised God, and said: "Lord, according to your promise, let this servant go in peace now! For my eyes have seen the salvation you have prepared for all nations. It is the light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel! Joseph and His mother, Mary, marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, "Behold, this Child destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against, yes, a sword will pierce through your heart also, that the thoughts of many hearts may reveal". And there was an old widow named Hannah who was also a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel and an Asher descendant. She rushed ahead, praising God, and spoke about the child to everyone waiting for salvation in Jerusalem. After fulfilling everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.

In connection with this feast, the Holy Syrian Orthodox Church has a unique liturgy. On this auspicious day, the priest dresses in sacred robes and prays facing east. This prayer is offered from the Holy Altar's west side, where a table with candles to bless the ceremony is set up in front of the Celebrant. During this ritual, all candles offered before the Holy Sanctuary are sanctified, and the purified candles are distributed to all believers to be lit. The celebrant leads a procession with the Holy Cross (Sleeba). After the prayer and procession, the celebrant enters the Holy Sanctuary and performs the Blessing of the Four Corners of the World (Hawd Malake...). This liturgy is not common in Malankara. However, it is expected in the coming years. The blessed candles may be used in the Holy Altar for the subsequent Holy services, and the faithful may take the remaining candles home. When there is a problem or demonic influence in their homes, Syriac Christians have a ritual of praying by lighting these blessed candles. And in specific locations, after burning, the tip of the extinguished wick is taken with the fingers and applied to the forehead and eyes. It is similar to our custom of applying lamp oil to the forehead or applying ashes on the forehead after burning palm leaves. 

There are different theological and historical grounds for presenting candles to the church on Mayaltho day. Candles are used in Christian worship from the days of catacomb worship, as we all know. The church regards candles that burn and diffuse light to others as a symbol of Christ, who gave up his life to be a light to others. The glorious prophet Isaiah says, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them, hath the light shined" (Is. 9:2). Our Lord proclaims, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).

Myaltho feast is known as the festival of Dedication. Our offerings are brought into the presence of God in the same way as the newborn Jesus presented in the temple. Thus, the faithful, by taking the candles provided in the church on that dedication day to their homes, will have a sense of bringing Christ, the light, to their houses. 

As the infant Jesus was dedicated in the temple, let us give God our hearts as an offering.